Veena’s review of Protected (Diablo Lake, Book 2) by Lauren Dane
Paranormal Romance published by Carina Press 23 Jan 17
The Cascadia Wolves series was when I first became acquainted with Lauren Dane’s writing. I’ve followed her career and enjoyed some of the other genres she writes in, but I’m happy to see her going back to the paranormal world with it’s interesting mix of humans, shifters, and witches.
For readers who read the earlier book in the series, it was clear that Mac and Aimee would follow a very interesting path. Even so, this story managed to surprise me a few times in how it all turned out. Aimee is a talented witch content to use her nurturing magic to support herself professionally whiling doing good for a whole lot of people. There’s a lot of politicking going on in their small town, thanks to the rivalry between the two dominant wolf packs in town. Aimee’s naturally sympathetic to the Dooleys because her best friend is married to the alpha, besides which the Pembrys, our douchebags, even through Mac Pembry seems to stand out and apart from the rest of his pack.
Mac is a natural leader, having traveled outside of his small corner of the woods to see the world and shed his blood for his country. He bites his tongue holding back for his father’s approval that seems to be set on his clearly incompetent younger brother.
All the fighting is not good for the town or a natural empath like Aimee. I like how she stands up and takes no prisoners as she lays down the law. Her relationship with Mac is a treasure. Clearly, he’s an alpha male and tends to make a few mistakes along the way, but he owns up to them, apologizes nicely, and makes my heart pitter patter as he shows his love and appreciation for his woman.
I hate the fact that Ms. Dane never gives us he back story on why Mac’s father favors one son over the other or why his mother is so psychotic. Also, the readers are aware of the mystery surrounding Jake’s father, and while one can speculate, nothing is clearly disclosed. I felt all these mysteries that persist left things hanging a bit without a clean end.
Grade: B
Summary:
New York Times bestselling author Lauren Dane welcomes you back to Diablo Lake, Tennessee: a town founded by witches, governed by werewolves and full of secrets
Tensions are building in Diablo Lake as the two main rival Packs vie for control, and the town is divided along lines of Pack loyalty. Aimee Benton and Mac Pembry are on opposite sides and he seems to find excuses to spar with her daily. He’s infuriating—not to mention charming, gorgeous and oh-so-lickable.
Mac can’t resist pushing Aimee’s buttons. She’s always been incredibly sexy, and the wolf in him craves a female with fire in her belly. When a heated argument ends with a sizzling kiss and Mac gets a taste of her, he craves more—and she can’t seem to get enough of him, either. The forbidden nature of their attraction stokes their desires until they’re secretly hooking up whenever they can.
But then Mac’s clan goes too far, and Aimee shuts him out. She’s hurt and angry—but that’s nothing compared to the rage Mac is feeling toward his own Pack. A fight is brewing that will plunge the whole town into chaos, and someone will have to cross Pack lines to keep the town’s fragile peace from breaking apart for good.
No excerpt available.
Other books in this series:
